Chapter 35

Bratt sank down to the grass next to me, stroking my back. “You saw him?” he asked me. “What did he look like? Are you sure it was him?”

“Oh, I’m sure,” I sputtered. I hated that I couldn’t get a grip on myself. “I think I’m sure. H-his hair is a little shorter, but he’s still getting that stupid tan and—and…”

I rubbed my shoulder where the pain had suddenly become overwhelming, a searing heat that had sensed his arrival.

“I was watching you guys have fun on the ride. Everything was fine, and then it was like I felt him—my shoulder started hurting. When I turned, he was standing ten feet away.”

“Did he see you?” Bratt asked, barely contained rage lacing his every word. “Did he come after you?”

“I don’t know. I don’t think so. I was so afraid that I didn’t think. I just ran as far and as fast as I could,” I said.

“Marley.” His voice was steady but cold. “I have to ask you a question, and I don’t want you to jump to conclusions before I explain everything.”

The sudden intensity, the see